Directional cap for spray dispenser



May 23, 1961 R. COPLAN 2,985,382

DIRECTIONAL CAP FOR SPRAY DISPENSER Filed March 31, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet1 FIG.I FIG.2

5 FIGJO INVENTOR. 84cm?! (o/ M f I I a May 23, 1961 R. COPLAN 2,985,382

DIRECTIONAL CAP FOR SPRAY DISPENSER Filed March :1, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet2 I I" I mm? I NV E NTOR. 75; (ZPZAA/ UiliEQ The present inventionrelates to spray applicators and it particularly relates to directionalcaps for spray applicators.

Although not limited thereto, the present invention will be described inits application to spray applicators which may be utilized for theapplication of cosmetic sprays such as to the hair or other parts of thebody. However, it is to be understood that the invention has a muchbroader application to control spray applicators for use in applyingsprays to a Wide variety of objects and in a Wide variety ofapplications.

In the use of spray applicators, quite frequently the spray not only isapplied to the object to be covered or treated but is spread over agreater or less adjacentarea and into the air with wastage andundesirable application to parts of the body or to other articles whichshould not be treated or given a spray coating.

It is therefore among the objects of the present invention to provide anovel spray applicator, particularly designed for readily vaporizedsolvent sprays or aerosol sprays in which the volatilization of thesolvent or gaseous or liquid ingredient may be so controlled as to givea predetermined limited area of deposition.

Particularly in connection with hair sprays it may be desired to applythe spray to one location of hair or to a limited portion of the scalpor hair and it is among the further objects of the present invention toprovide a without difiiculty by the user thereof as to apply the sprayto and against a predetermined portion of the head or hair to achievethe desired results without undue loss of spray into the surrounding airand without it being applied to adjacent areas.

Another object is to provide a special spray dispenser and particularlya directional cap or device therefor which will permit the sprayedmaterial or liquid to be applied only to the actual portion of the bodyor lock of hair which is to be treated, preventing undue dispersion ofthe spray or liquid upon adjacent body areas and'also protecting thescalp from irritation and eliminating the possibility of liquid runningupon the skin.

Still further objects and advantages will appear in the more detaileddescription set forth below, it being understood, however, that thismore detailed description is given by way of illustration andexplanation only and not by Way of limitation, since various changestherein may be made by those skilled in the .art without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the present invention.

In accomplishing the above objects it has been found most satisfactoryaccording to one embodiment of the Q be utilized as a control elementboth' to allow ready actu- 'ation of the spray head and means to directthe spray so States Patent 6 ice , 2 as to have it desirably masked fromcertain places and directed onto other places.

In one form of the invention the spray cap has a transverse opening inone side of the top portion thereof which may be fitted on the spraynozzle and which may act when fitted onto the spray nozzle as a pressermember while serving as a director.

In another form the cap head may be split so that it may be opened tocontrol the spray while at the same time utilized to actuate the spraynozzle.

In still a further embodiment of the present invention the rotatablespray cap may be provided with a presser member to be utilized whenrotated to press the spray head of the spray dispenser and direct thespray in a predetermined desired direction. 7

Although this directional cap has particular suitability in controllingthe spray and area of spray application for hair treatments it isapparent that it also has a broader application tothe controlledapplication of mothproofing sprays, to predetermine portions ofgarments, or shoe lacquer or varnishing sprays to shoes, to soap orshaving cream sprays, to the faceof the user, of deodorant sprays tounderarm or other body areas and even to the application of i'cings orcreams to predetermined portions of foods, cakes, breads or the like.

in industrial uses, it has a desirable application to the application oflubricant to predetermined portions of a machine where lubrication isnecessary, of paint to predetermined portions of a wall, object, room orfloor which is to. be sprayed, ofwaxes to predetermined floor areas inconnection with waxing of floors, of window cleaning compounds or windowpolishing compounds to predeterminedportions of windows of eithersquare, rectangular or irregular shapes, of portions of automotivevehicles Where it is desired to apply the spray to certain portions ofthe body without affecting other portions of the body or the windows,etc.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists ofthe novel construction, combination 'and arrangement of parts ashereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention,but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modificationscan be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereuntoappended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote correspondingparts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view shown in small scale of a spraycontainer with the cap thereof used as a container closure.

Fig.2 is a side elevational view of the cap and can with the cap removedfrom the can and placed in position where it may be used to actuate thespray nozzle as well .as to direct the spray.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view with the cap in sectionshowing how the cap is applied to the nozzle head.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view partly in section similar to Fig. 3,showing the cap after application to the nozzle head.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the cap upon the same scale asFigs. 3 and 4 and upon a greatly enlarged scale as compared to Figs. 1and 2, showing the cap fro 3 applied to a can with the cap partly insection, said cap being in closed position on top of the can.

Fig. is a side elevational view partly in section of the cap of Figs. '8and 9 applied to a can but turned at an angle of 90 so that the cap willact as the actuating member for the spray nozzle and will also directthe spray.

Fig. 11 is a side elevational View upon a reduced scale as compared toFig. 10 showing the manner of actuating the split hinge cap of Figs. 8to 10 as applied to a can and as directing the spray. I V

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of the cap of Fig. 8 taken from theline 12-12 of Fig. 8. V

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of the cap of Fig. 8 taken from theline 1313 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of the can with the cap appliedshowing an alternative embodiment in which a presser member is carriedby the ca Fig. is a side elevational view similar tofig. 14 showing thecap removed from the can and turned at an angle of 90 and applied to thespring nozzle in spray director"position.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary front elevational "view. showing the outlet endof the cap of Fig. 15 in spray director position.

"Fig. 17 is a transverse sectional view upon the line 17'17 of Fig. 16showing the cap of Fig. 15 in spray director position.

Fig. 18 is aside elevational view with the cap in sec- 'tion showing themeans of applying the presser member to actuate the spray with the spraybeing directed by means of the cap.

Referring to the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 7 there is shown a can Ahaving a cap B which may be used as a closure In Fig. 1 or for a spraydirector, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 6. The can itself has a spraynozzle C spring biased upwardly and pressed downwardly to release thespray through the nozzle opening D. The cap has a side opening E whichfits upon the reciprocatory nozzle C. I p

As shown in Fig.4, when the cap is in solid line position the spray isnotbeing created but when in dotted line depressed position thespraywill be directed outwardly "asindicated at F by the open mouth G of thespray cap.

'Referringparticularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6, the can has acylindrical portion 10 with a lower base bead 11 and an upper bead 12.The bead 12 connects to the frustro-conical head section 13 whichterminates in'the cylindrical lip 14 against which the lower sealingperiphery 15 of the cap B cooperates.

It will be noted that the spray nozzle C in Fig. 7 projects from a well16 andit has a cylindrical portion 17 and a forwardly directed rib 18which carries the nozzle portion D. I

The key opening E in the side of the cap is similarly shaped andhas acircular portion 19 and a key extension 20. The interior of the cap hasan abutment portion 21 which is designed to contact and abut the topface 22 of "the'nozzle'member C, as indicated in Fig. 4, so that portionon the side ofthe'cap as indicated by the arrow 23 will depress the capto dotted line position in Fig. 4 and actuate the spray.

The nozzle C will normally'fit into the small reduced dimension top orrear portion 24 of the cap leaving the expanding conical portion 25 andthe wide mouth portion *G- to direct the spray.

The device of Figs. 1 to 7 is most satisfactory in providing a simpleclosure cap which may be of molded plastic or die cast metal or of otherfabricated material which may serve bothasa closure cap and as anactuatorand spray director. It is shown as the closure cap in Fig. 1 andas a spray director in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 6.

Referring to the alternativeembodiment of Figs. 8 to 13 there is shown acap H to be applied to the can I which has'a key opening'K to be appliedto the reciprocatory nozzle L and which is designed to actuate thenozzle L into producing a spray which is directed as indicated at M.

'The cap has an upper conical portion 35 which is split at 36 and has ahinge connection 37. From one side of the cap projects the fin 38 whichhas a ridged side 39 (see Fig. 13) said ridge extending down to the wideoblique shoulder 40 at the mouth 41 of the cap.

The other side of the cap has a projection 42. which carries the keyholeopening K and the upwardly projecting handle or finger contact member43.

The spray nozzle L having the cylindrical. portion 44 and the forwardlyprojecting ridge or key portion 45 fits into the circular portion 46 andthe key portion 47 of the opening K and the abutment 48 of the interiorof the cap will press upon or contact the top of the reciprocatorynozzle L.

The nozzle L will fit into the rear small diameter portion 49 of theinterior of the cap permitting the spray to pass first into the widerportion 51) and then through the orifice 51 formed by the web 52 whereit passes into the wide mouth portion 41.

The resilient band 53 which may be of synthetic rubber or other plasticmaterial fits in a groove around the mouth 41 and acts to hold the splitsections together in contact along the line 36.

When in use as shown in Fig. 11 one finger 54 may press down upon theridge face 39 of one of the split sections of the cap while the otherfinger 55 may contact the projecting portion 43 to control the amount ofopening and the direction of the spray M as indicated in Fig. 11.

The lower sealing portion 56 at the -rim of the mouth of the cap fitsalongside of the bead 57 at the top of the can and seals the can whenthecap is used in covering or closure position as indicated in Fig. 9.

In the embodiment of Figs. 14 to 18 the can N has a reciprocatory spraynozzle P while the cap Q may be used in either closure position, asshown in Fig. 14, or in spray director position as shown in Figs. 15 to18 The cap carries the reciprocatory actuator button R which may be'usedto actuate the spring nozzle P to cause a spray to be directed outwardlyin the direction of the the nozzle P, leaving a slot 72 (see Fig. 16)into which projects the nozzle portion 73 of the nozzle head P.

In the opposite side of the cap in the nipple 74 is positioned theprojecting stem 75 of the press button R which carries the abutmentmember 76 to press down on the spray nozzle C. When this occurs, thespray will be directed outwardly as directed by the arrow S.

The beaded rim 77 of the can Nwill contact the inside mouth 78 of'thecap Q when the cap is used as a closure as indicated in Fig. 14.

It is thus apparent that the applicant has provided a simple, readilyformed, readily manipulated combination cap actuator and spray directorfor sprays,particularly useful for application to a limited area toreceive the spray application such as a lock of hair, but also havingamuch wider application to the limited application of sprays to variousselected areas to receive a spray whether on a part of the body, anobject, a wall or the like.

While there has been herein described a preferred form of the invention,it should be understood that the same may'be altered in details and-inrelative arrangement of parts within the scope of the appended claims.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of theinvention, and in what manner the same is to be performed:

What is claimed is:

1. A spray applicator cap for 'a spray dispenser can having areciprocatory'spray-nozzla-said cap zbeingof frustro conical shape withthe interior face of one side Wall serving to contact and actuate saidnozzle and the opposite side of the wall having a recess to receive saidnozzle and the base of the cap having an enlarged circular mouth todirect the spray and, said nozzle being a reciprocable right verticalcylindrical member having an outstanding projecting flat faced rib onone side thereof with a spray nozzle opening on the rib adjacent the endof the member and said opening being aligned with the longitudinal axisof the cap when the end of the nozzle contacts the interior face of theside wall said cap'serving as a closure and spray director and acting inone position as a closure for a spray applicator can and in anotherposition at a 90 angle from the first position and with the cappositioned on its side, to direct the spray from said can, said caphaving a wide mouth to engage and close the top of the can and cover thespray nozzle in one position and in the other position having a sideopening to engage the spray nozzle and direct the spray through saidmouth.

2. A spray applicator cap for a spray dispenser can having areciprocatory spray nozzle, said cap being of frustro conical shape withthe interior face of one side wall serving to contact and actuate saidnozzle and the opposite side of the wall having a recess to receive saidnozzle and the base of the cap having an enlarged circular mouth todirect the spray and, said nozzle being a reciprocable right verticalcylindrical member having an outstanding projecting fiat faced rib onone side thereof with a spray nozzle opening on the rib adjacent the endof the member and said opening being aligned with the longitudinal axisof the cap when the end of the nozzle contacts the interior face of theside wall said cap serving as a closure and spray director and acting inone position as a closure and in another position at a 90 angle from thefirst position and with the cap positioned on its side, to direct thespray from said can, said cap having a wide mouth to engage and closethe top of the can and cover the spray nozzle in one position and in theother position having a side opening to engage the spray nozzle anddirect the spray through said mouth, said cap also having an internalabutment contacting and actuating said spray nozzle when said cap isapplied to said nozzle in said second position. i

3. A spray applicator cap for a spray dispenser can having areciprocatory spray nozzle, said cap being of frustro conical shape withthe interior face of one side wall serving to contact and actuate saidnozzle and the opposite side of the wall having a recess to receive saidnozzle and the base of the cap having an enlarged circular mouth todirect the spray and, said nozzle being a reciprocable right verticalcylindrical member having an outstanding projection flat faced rib onone side thereof with a spray nozzle opening on the rib adjacent the endof the member and said opening being aligned with the longitudinal axisof the cap when the end of the nozzle contacts the interior face of theside wall said cap serving as a closure and spray director and acting inone position as a closure for a spray applicator can and in anotherposition at a 90 angle from the first position and with the cappositioned on its side, to direct the spray from said can, said caphaving a wide mouth to engage and close the top of the can and cover thespray nozzle in one position and in the other position having a sideopening to engage the spray nozzle and direct the spray through saidmouth, said cap having an internal bafile with an orifice to direct saidspray.

4. A spray applicator cap for a spray dispenser can having areciprocatory spray nozzle, said cap being of frustro conical shape Withthe interior 'face of one side wall serving to contact and actuate saidnozzle and the opposite side of the wall having a recess to receive saidnozzle and the base of the cap having an enlarged circular mouth todirect the spray and, said nozzle being a reciprocable right verticalcylindrical member having an outstanding projecting flat faced rib onone side thereof with a spray nozzle opening on the rib adjacent the endof the member and said opening being aligned with the longitudinal axisof the cap when the end of the nozzle contacts the interior face of theside wall said cap serving as a closure and spray director and acting inone position as a closure for a spray applicator can and in anotherposition at a angle from the first position andwith the cap positionedon its side, to direct the spray from said can, said cap having a widemouth to engage and close the top of the can and cover the spray nozzlein one position and in the other position having a side opening toengage the spray nozzle and directthe spray through said mouth, said capbeing split and the split halves being resiliently connected togetherand each of said split halves having hand contact extensions to enablemanipulation of said split head.

5. A spray applicator cap for a spray dispenser can having areciprocatory spray nozzle, said cap being of frustro conical shape withthe interior face of one side wall serving to contact and actuate saidnozzle and the opposite side of the Wall having a recess to receive saidnozzle and the base of the cap having an enlarged circular mouth todirect the spray and, said nozzle being a reciprocable right verticalcylindrical member having an outstanding projecting flat faced rib onone side thereof with a spray nozzle opening on the rib adjacent the endof the member and said opening being aligned with the longitudinal axisof the cap when the end of the nozzle contacts the interior face of theside wall said cap serving as a closure and spray director and acting inone position as a closure for a spray applicator can and in anotherposition at a 90 angle from the first position and with the cappositioned on its side, to direct the spray from said can, said caphaving a wide mouth to engage and close the top of the can and cover thespray nozzle in one position and in the other position having a sideopening to engage the spray nozzle and direct the spray through saidmonth, said cap having a reduced interior small volume portion toreceive said spray nozzle and a separated area portion leading saidspray to said wide mouth.

6. A directional frustro conical molded plastic directional spraycup-shaped cap for a spray can with a keyed spray nozzle controlling avalve when pressed down, having a cylindrical mouth and having a fiatend top at the most narrow portion thereof, the sides of said capdirectly below the flat end top having a keyed opening at one side andactuator means at the other side, respectively, to receive the keyedspray nozzle and to press on the top of said nozzle and open the valve,the cylindrical mouth acting as a closure in upright position and as aspray director when on its side, said keyed spray nozzle having anoutwardly projecting rib at one side thereof and a spray opening in theface of the rib adjacent the end of the nozzle and said opening beingaligned with the cap axis when inserted into said keyed opening.

7. The cap of claim 6, said cap being transversely split and having ahinge extending across the top of the cap.

8. The cap of claim 6, said cap being split and hinged and having handlemembers projecting outwardly from the top.

9. The cap of claim 6, said actuator means consisting of flat facedinward projection diametrically opposite said keyed opening.

10. A frustro-conical spray can closure cap for a spray can having acylindrical reciprocable upwardly projecting vertical nozzle with anelongated vertically extending rib on one side thereof with a sprayopening transverse to the axis of the nozzle adjacent the upper end ofthe nozzle in the outer face of the rib, and a cylindrical closure baseon the can below the nozzle, said cap having a cylindrical mouth toengage with closure base when in upright position and to direct thespray when in side position, the

side of the cap having an opening to match and keyed to the crosssection of the nozzle and an inwardly projecting abutment from thediametrically opposite interior of the cap facing the opening to contactthe end of the nozzle and align the spray opening with the longitudinalaxis of the cap.

11. The closure cap of claim 10, said cap having a split central portionparallel to the axis and finger grip portions at diametrically oppositesides away from the mouth and the cap to permit said cap 'to be openedand an encircling elastic band around the mouth of said cap to keep thecap closed and said cap having a projecting flat face portion at saidkeyed opening where saidnozzle is inserted.

Deverall May 25, 1886 1,072,951 Johnston Sept. 9, 1913 1,778,994 AllenOct. 21, 1930 2,566,324 Frese Sept. 4, 1951 2,699,647 Goebel Jan. 18,1955 2,890,697 Van Sickle June 16 1959

